Blue Zoo - Olaf's LCI e46 325i Touring

[Olaf 3317]

Date: 15 Aug 2024

Distance: 213,120 kms

1. Oil Cap Replacement (pass); Tailgate Bump Stop Replacement (fail).

Finally replaced the old oil cap with a new OEM item.  It had been sitting on the hall table for months - kept forgetting it.  Less successful was replacing the rear hatch bump stops... turns out no captive nuts, so not only a 20mm spanner for topside, a 20mm crowsfoot or stubby spanner is required for the inside (or remove the trim).  Deferred.

Here's a pretty pic

[Olaf 3317]

Date: 08 Nov 2024

Distance: 215,176 kms

1. WoF

sailed through WoF this morning, with a few advisories relating to oil staining.  It's a BMW, they're not known for keeping it on the inside!!

[Olaf 3317]

Date: 11 Nov 2024

Distance: N/A kms

1. Parts gathered.... Diff, and Front ARB

Great news.  The parts car produced a decent diff.  Jon @ Begley Motor Worx has now degreased, prepped, painted the replacement 3.46, new seals all round incl BMW sealant on the cover.  Ready to go with Penrite Synthetic.

Fig. 1  what a diff'rence a day makes

24mm front ARB sourced from Hell BM (Thanks Ray!).  I'll strip, prep, paint when it arrives.  

It's 5 years since we did the rocker cover gasket, so I've sourced a replacement (Elring) with bolt seals, and new BMW washers.  Fifteen of the buggers! BMW part number 11127838077 (for ref).

Nearly ready to sort it out.

 

 

2. Next items list:

• Replace right rear tyre (or both rears) - it's at 2.9mm
• Fit Replacement diff (e46 medium case) 3.46 (including the two small bushes, input and output seals, fill and drain bungs, oil, rear cover sealant)
• Replace the Power Steering fluid reservoir
• Top-end oil leak - replace valve cover gasket.
• Prep and install replacement 24mm front ARB
• New sunroof seal (Part ready to fit)
• Install that Msport steering wheel with the stereo integration, have sourced a post-Takata recall airbag from the parts wagon.
• Clean and rust paint the surface rust on rear subframe
• Then in near future I'll get into the stereo as per this thread...
• Next year:  could be time for Lesjofors MSport springs, and either Sachs Msport shocks or Konis.  Jeez, next April we'll have had this car 13 years.

What would an Olaf update be without a musical reference?  Let's take a trip back to 70's disco-pop with Esther Phillips 😄

 

Edited November 11 by Olaf
added next steps list, and re-ordered

[Olaf 3317]

Date: 21 Nov 2024

Distance: 215468 kms

1. Replaced side repeaters

I noticed the amber side repeaters were significantly dulled.  22-odd years in the sunshine'll do that, particularly the UV down here.  I noticed these aftermarket TYR units at a particularly reasonable circa 5 euros each during a parts order from Spareto, so dropped them into my order. 

They took about 12 mins all up to install.  A quick wipe over with detailing mist, pop out, clean up, SRP, install.... figure out why they weren't working.  Oh, bulb carrier included, though not the bulb!  Uninstall, remove bulb holder, install bulb from original, re-attach, re-install, test okay.

Fig 1: At the start...

 

fig. 2:  Job's a good one.  Second time round, at least!

 

Of course, after that the left-hand was swift.  Not Suzuki.  Quick! 

FIg. 3: Left Hand, dulled by years of sun

 

Fig. 4: Removed, ready to retrieve bulb from bulb-holder

 

FIg. 5:  Left hand done, shining like a diamond in a goat's ass (as that feller from TX says).

Hint:  you don't need a screwdriver or spludger tool.  Just push horizonally toward the rear of the car, then then gently lever out the front edge (against the clip - see Fig. 4 above).  I did it without tools.  To disconnect from the vehicle wiring, press the lever on the connector.  To remove the bulb holder from the fitting, twist approx 30 degrees.

Right then, on to the next one.

[dln 12]

Excellent, thanks for the detail - mine just arrived and I was planning on attacking it with a trim tool!